Kyrgyzstan in 2002

President Askar Akayev, assisted by Prime Ministers Kurmanbek Bakiyev and, from May 22 (acting until May 30), Nikolay Tanayev

Kyrgyzstan in 2002 continued to host a large international military presence, mostly American and French, at Bishkek’s Manas International Airport in support of the antiterrorist coalition. Opposition parliamentarians questioned the existence of a foreign air base on Kyrgyz soil, but government leaders asserted that it was to the country’s benefit to help crush international terrorism. Although there were no assaults by extremist groups on Kyrgyzstan such as had occurred in previous years, the security services warned that the danger was still there. Some officials explained that restrictions on the media were motivated at least in part by the fact that extremist literature was being published in Kyrgyzstan for distribution in the rest of Central Asia.

It was unclear whether official references to the existence in Kyrgyzstan of groups such as Hezb-e Tahrir, an international movement that hoped to establish a medieval-style Islamic caliphate in Central Asia, or the extremist Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan were motivated by genuine fear of religious extremism’s spreading, particularly in the south of the country, or were intended to discredit the political opposition. Opposition parties, human rights activists, and citizens disgusted by the government’s inability to improve living conditions for most of the country’s population were more vocal and active in 2002 than ever before. The authorities reacted with repression on the independent media. Civil disobedience spread throughout the society, which led to warnings that the country was in danger of civil war.

The trigger for much of the unrest was the arrest in January of parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov, apparently for his criticism of an unpopular border agreement with China that transferred some 1,250 sq km (480 sq mi) to Chinese sovereignty. Opposition members of the parliament protested the arrest, and activists began picketing and demonstrating in Bishkek and elsewhere. In February human rights activist Sheraly Nazarkulov died after a hunger strike, which intensified the popular unrest. On March 17 five people were killed and many were wounded in a clash between police and protesters in the southern district of Aksy. Recriminations between the government and opposition over the punishment of those responsible dominated political life for the rest of the year.

The government resigned about two months after the Aksy shootings; an official commission was formed to investigate what had happened; and several police officers were arrested. Nevertheless, popular anger continued to run high amid charges that the top officials responsible for the tragedy were not being held to account. There were even calls for the resignation of Pres. Askar Akayev.